Chapter 114 She Said She Had No Interest
Her gaze calmly swept over the crowd, not a flicker of unease in her eyes.
Suddenly, Emily's eyes paused, and a smile bloomed on her face: "Matthew, you're here too."
Matthew stepped forward: "Yeah, the Moore family got an invite too. How's it going? You okay?"
Emily understood what he meant. She gave a small nod. "No big deal. This isn't enough to bother me."
Hearing that, a glint of amusement flashed in Matthew's eyes: "That’s my Emmie. This shouldn’t take long. Later, I can go with you to pick up Eleanor."
Eleanor had just started kindergarten.
At the mention of her daughter, something in Emily softened. Her smile became even more genuine.
Unbeknownst to her, this scene stung Alex's eyes.
Nearby,
Linda quickly noticed her, and her face darkened right away.
Seeing this, Lillian gently squeezed her daughter's hand: "Ignore them. Let's sit over here."
"Okay." Emily nodded and followed her parents to their seats. But before they could sit, a soft, smug voice drifted from from behind.
"Hey, isn't this Miss Johnson? Didn't expect you to show up."
"What an honored guest. Come, let's have a drink."
Grace was wearing a custom-made gown, adorned with pigeon-blood rubies. Her skirt trailed on the floor, and her makeup was flawless.
At first glance, she really looked like a proper heiress.
She walked up to Emily step by step, looking down at her.
Ha! now Emily would get humiliated!
Today, she was the center of attention!
Even if Emily had been part of the Baker family once, that was all in the past.
Now, she was Alex's fiancée, the future Mrs. Baker!
And Emily was just a discarded ex-wife, a woman who didn't even dare reveal her child's father.
Seeing her smug look, Emily gave a half-smile and took a glass of champagne from a waiter: "Then here's to Miss Miller."
Grace chuckled lightly: "I thought Miss Johnson would feel bad seeing me and Alex get engaged. Makes sense, though—the Johnson family and Baker family are old family friends from way back. It'd look bad if you didn't come."
She paused deliberately, fingers brushing the ruby necklace at her collarbone. "Miss Johnson, you know your jewelry. What do you think of this?"
"It's the engagement gift Alex picked out for me. Worth tens of millions."
"He said only someone worthy of being Mrs. Baker should wear it. But I don’t understand design very well. Why don’t you take a look?”
Suddenly, everyone watched the two like it was a show.
Emily looked up, her gaze steady: "Miss Miller sure cares a lot about these flashy things. But don't worry—Mr. Baker wouldn't pick a fake for you."
Then, she leaned in close and lowered her voice: "Since it's your engagement, hold onto your spot. No need to come show off in front of me. I'm not interested in being Mrs. Baker."
With that she straightened, as if the matter no longer concerned her.
Grace's smug expression froze. Then, in a voice only they could hear, she said: "Emily, don’t pretend to be above it all! Alex is my fiancé right now. The position of the Baker family's daughter-in-law is mine—no one can take it. Not even that daughter of yours you’re too ashamed to acknowledge. She'll never be part of the family!"
Emily's eyes turned icy cold in an instant!
She knew?
Grace felt a rush of satisfaction after saying it.
Just as she was about to say more, a cold voice cut in: "What are you talking about?"
Grace froze, quickly composed herself, and turned with a proper smile.
"Alex, you're here. Perfect timing—we should go toast the guests..."
Suddenly, her outstretched hand hung in mid-air.
Alex wouldn't let her take his arm!
So many media and people from their circle were here today, and he was embarrassing her like this?
Or... because Emily was here?
All the guests' eyes turned to her, whispers started to spread.
Grace's eyes reddened: "Alex... what's wrong? This is our engagement party. We shouldn't keep everyone waiting—there's still activities for later."
She tried to move closer again, but Alex frowned: "Did I agree to that? You can keep the kissing and all that fake lovey-dovey stuff to yourself."
Grace's nails dug into her palm.
Others couldn't hear, but Emily was right there!
Was Alex saying it for her to hear?
How was she supposed to save face?
Seeing things spiral, Linda stepped in right away: "Enough. Alex has been busy with the company and Grandma these past few days—he finally made time today. Grace, you're the understanding one. Come with me later to greet the other Baker family elders."
Then, she shot Emily a cold look: "Some people, huh? Divorced for three years and still crashing someone else's engagement party. Don't you know you will have to stay away?"
"Not knowing your place is one thing—don't tell me you're here to cause trouble on purpose."
The room fell quiet.
Emily smiled faintly, unfazed: "If you hadn't brought it up, I'd almost forgotten about it. Looks like you're the one who can't let go. Why mention it at Mr. Baker and Miss Miller's engagement? The Baker family sent the invitation. The Johnson family attended out of respect for the Bakers and the elders. How is that causing trouble?"
Her tone was steady and calm, making her look more composed than the glittering Grace.
Linda’s expression stiffened.
Just as she was about to speak, Grace cut in: "Miss Johnson is all talk. But I heard you had a daughter after the divorce, and no one knows who the father is—you won't even make her identity public. Tell me, Miss Johnson… are you here to find a father for your child?”
The words hit like a thunderbolt in the middle of the banquet hall.
The crowd erupted, eyes full of curiosity fixed on Emily.
"Oh my god, is it true? Emily has an illegitimate daughter?"
"No wonder she won't say who the dad is—it must be shady!"
"This is Mr. Baker's engagement party—what's she trying to do?"
The whispers turned vicious.
Linda's face went pale with anger and she started forward, but Emily held her back.
She stared straight at Grace: "Miss Miller seems very interested in my daughter—maybe you should focus on yourself instead. Using public opinion to pressure people? Same old tricks. Do I need to remind you about what happened back then, Miss Miller?"
Her words dropped, and the room fell dead silent.
That incident…
A lot of people knew about what happened back then—it had been a big deal.
But time had passed, and most had forgotten. Now it was brought up again...
Grace went pale: "You—you're just targeting me on purpose!"
Linda pointed at Emily and snapped: "Outrageous! Emily, how dare you make a scene at the Baker family's event? We should've had Alex divorce you sooner, or else..."
"Mrs. Linda Baker, watch how you talk to my daughter!" At that moment, Andrew shot to his feet: "She was invited here—nothing wrong with that. But you target her on purpose at an engagement party, even bringing up her child? Is this how the Baker family treats guests?"